Garage Door Manual Operation - Dasma.com

#165
Garage Door Manual Operation
INTRODUCTION
Handles or suitable gripping points are a practical and convenient way to operate a garage door manually. This
Technical Data Sheet is intended to help clarify the need for occasional manual operation of an automated garage
door including the use of handles/suitable gripping points for such operation.
THE NEED FOR MANUAL OPERATION
Common reasons for manually operating a normally automated garage door include:
• Power outages. During a power outage, besides the continuation of the convenience of garage use, it may
become necessary to open and/or close a garage door for safety or emergency reasons.
• Garage door operator malfunctioning. In order for a homeowner or building owner to continue to move
vehicles and other items into or out of a garage in the event of a garage door operator malfunction, the
door would need to be operated manually until the operator is properly serviced. Note: DASMA
recommends that a trained door systems technician provide service for malfunctioning garage door
operators.
• Routine door maintenance. Published industry guidelines recommend that homeowners and building
owners perform periodic routine maintenance steps on the door itself, including disconnecting the
operator to check the door’s balance and overall operation. See DASMA Technical Data Sheet #167 for a
recommended checklist to follow.
Please note that the garage door operator manufacturer’s instructions should be carefully followed when
disconnecting the operator from the door.
2/17/05 Page 1 of 3 This sheet is reviewed periodically and may be updated. Visit www.dasma.com for the latest version.

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FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MANUAL OPERATION
Handles versus Suitable Gripping Points
Over the years, many manually operated garage doors have included handles that typically protrude from the
surfaces of garage door sections. As an alternative to handles, “suitable gripping points” are considered to be
acceptable if the operator of the door can grip the garage door to apply sufficient force to manually open or close
a door. These gripping points may either protrude, or be recessed, with respect to garage door section surfaces.
Number, Location and Placement of Handles / Suitable Gripping Points
A total of four handles or suitable gripping points are required to meet Section 7 of ANSI/DASMA 116, the
voluntary industry standard governing garage door section interfaces. Two handles / suitable gripping points are
to be located on the inside garage door surface, and two are to be located on the outside garage door surface. The
standard describes that the placement of the handles or gripping devices shall be within 8 inches of the bottom
edge of the bottom section, and on the second or third section, placed vertically in line with one another to allow
manual operation of the door.
Design of Handles / Suitable Gripping Points
Manufacturers have the option to design/manufacture any configuration of handles or suitable gripping points,
provided they are satisfied that users can effectively manually operate doors with such configurations.
2/17/05 Page 3 of 3 This sheet is reviewed periodically and may be updated. Visit www.dasma.com for the latest version.